PS3: November $499 & $599 Configurations

Kyle_D · 05-08-2006, 10:08 PM

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/705/705742p1.html

Scroll to the end for launch details.

Is PS3 still Blu-Ray's trojan horse, or will gamers shun the system in favor of the cheaper XBOX360 and Nintendo Wii?

Kyle McKnight · 05-08-2006, 10:10 PM

I'm thinking that will depend on if Microsoft drops the XB360 by $100...or includes an HD-DVD drive for the $400 price point...Damn how I wish the base system for the PS3 came in at $400...

Kyle_D · 05-08-2006, 10:26 PM

My opinion is now solidified. Sony just priced themselves out of the mainstream. They'll sell units but, in the US at least, only to the truly hardcore gamers and technophiles. My feeling is Microsoft takes over the US and European console markets while Nintendo retakes the reigns in Japan.

In other words, the PS3's potential effect on the format war in terms of getting Blu-ray drives to the mainstream has been extremely curbed.

Cory S. · 05-08-2006, 10:28 PM

You really think so, Kyle?

David Galindo · 05-08-2006, 10:33 PM

Lets see, do I want a Toshiba HD-DVD player for $499 or a Playstation 3 w/Blu-Ray for $499?

The battle just got even more heated.

**HTF Ads**

Jean-Michel · 05-08-2006, 10:34 PM

Specs

No HDMI on the cheap model. Ouch.

Nick Graham · 05-08-2006, 11:25 PM

Ouch indeed....if they are going to cut out that many features, and slash the hard drive by 2/3, I'd say that they would be wise price the crippled version at $399 and attempt to be competitive with the 360 (though I'm willing to bet the 360 Premium hits $299 this fall).

Ryan-G · 05-09-2006, 01:57 AM

I'm going to agree with Kyle.

But I think MS has locked themselves out of having an effect on the format war as well. The add-on drive will be 720p and maybe 1080i. It's a little fuzzy if it'll do 1080i, definitely no 1080p.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2194

Kyle_D · 05-09-2006, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan-G

I'm going to agree with Kyle.

But I think MS has locked themselves out of having an effect on the format war as well. The add-on drive will be 720p and maybe 1080i. It's a little fuzzy if it'll do 1080i, definitely no 1080p.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2194

Agreed. The next-gen console war won't have much effect on the format war. PS3 will sell more than the HD-DVD add-on drive though; console add-on historically have not sold.

Ryan-G · 05-09-2006, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle_D

Agreed. The next-gen console war won't have much effect on the format war. PS3 will sell more than the HD-DVD add-on drive though; console add-on historically have not sold.

This is true, but it's also important to note that it seems the low end PS3 will be component only as well, which means by the time the HDTV market is present the PS3 may be limited by the downcoversion flag and everyone who opts for the low end PS3 will be limited to near SD-DVD resolutions. Which may in turn limit PS3's impact on BR Media sales.

Zack Gibbs · 05-09-2006, 04:19 AM

The reactions to the games were tepid. They no longer have support for dual independent monitors. The price is ridiculous. The $499 one even more so for its crippled nature, the 360 was simply a matter of bundling. The controller is, once again, a Dual Shock (worst controller out there, it was nice for the PS1, but don't they understand the concept of improvement?). Their online program is uninspired, too greedy, too little too late.

Gee, and I thought I was actually going to buy a playstation for once in my life.